Community Corner

Dream Cruise Snapshot: An Old Favorite with a History

For classic car enthusiast Gordon Rinschler of Birmingham, his Model A Ford represents a lot of personal history.

Name: Gordon Rinschler

Residence: Birmingham

Vehicle: 1930 Ford Model A

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Why this car? The longtime Birmingham resident said his Model A Ford has sentimental value, being the first car he ever purchased. The car, which cost him $500 in 1966, was even present at his wedding to his wife of 43 years, school board member Geri Rinschler.

“There are a lot of memories of that car,” Gordon Rinschler said.

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What is special about the Birmingham Cruise or the Dream Cruise? Rinschler said the Dream Cruise is more than a car show — it's a family affair. Rinscher, a former engineer with Chrysler, hosts a large party at his home one block off Woodward every year during the Cruise, which he also uses to raise money for local nonprofit groups.

According to Rinschler, his granddaugher recently told her third-grade teacher that the Dream Cruise is her favorite family tradition.

“When you get 1 million people coming to your community, it’s a big and important event,” Rinschler said. “It is pretty amazing.”

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles leading up to the 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 20. Click here for related stories and photo galleries.


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